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Waterbury HR official says partnership with BRS has led to about 10 hires of people with disabilities
Summary
Sherry Lam, assistant director of human resources for the City of Waterbury, described a partnership with BRS begun in 2021 that has produced close to 10 hires and support for roughly 40 consumers; Lam highlighted weekly counselor contact, on-site training, and positive workplace outcomes.
Sherry Lam, assistant director of human resources for the City of Waterbury, said the city’s partnership with BRS, begun in 2021, has helped the city hire roughly 10 people with disabilities and has supported discussions about about 40 potential candidates.
Lam told the meeting that the relationship started after a cold call from BRS and that "At the time, Reyna Hall was the BRS counselor." She said the initial meeting raised many questions about the scope of BRS services but ultimately led to a sustained collaboration because the program offers an additional recruitment tool to find talent and provide "gainful employment."
Why it matters: Lam said the program increases the city’s ability to recruit for a wide range of municipal jobs and helps employers succeed with new hires. "The number of counts of consumers we have that we've hired, via BRS is close to 10," she said, and added that since 2021 the city "have discussed close to 40 consumers." Lam described hires placed through BRS as "hardworking. They're consistent. They are so valued."
Lam listed jobs filled through the partnership, including maintainer roles (cleaning city and school buildings), a food service worker, two library pages and an administrative assistant in the library. She emphasized the value of regular support: the city met weekly with a BRS counselor and staff received ongoing follow-up, which she said created a "fluid process" during transitions from other programs to employment.
Lam also described employer-focused supports that BRS provided: "they provide assessments, training, and support to the employer," she said, calling out on-site training and assessments as tools that made placements more successful. She recommended other organizations consider working with BRS because of that hands-on collaboration and support.
No formal vote or policy change was recorded during Lam’s remarks; she framed her comments as a first-hand account and a recommendation based on the city’s experience.
Lam said the partnership has helped the city broaden its candidate pool while presenting people with disabilities as valued contributors to municipal work and urged other employers to consider similar collaborations.
